zeban

I went to an all girls school and am really grateful. The pressure of who's going out with who, who fancies who,who has a boyfriend, the disruptions that boys can cause in class, the change of behaviour and attitude from girls when boys are around, would have taken me away from caring about my education and caused me alot of angst. Not to mention going through puberty with boys around- the teasing about growing breasts etc. It's hard enough being a teenage girl as it is. Of course I was pretty nervous around boys when I got to sixth form but I soon got over that.

Here here Ratty. I completely agree with you.

Finally, some sense on this thread

Yep agree the snobbery and house prices are appalling

Chase Dulwit Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Well said! For those of us who have lived here > longer than five years there is a community of > real people. (tu)

I'm with you too Queenie

There's loads of ways to cook vegan now, it's brilliant. I've found some great recipes from Dan Lepard on The Guardian website

Hey, I wasn't saying be confrontational! That's a lesson I have to learn, sometimes it's easier for me to ignore it than at other times! my friend told me to just say, 'sorry I'm 12 and my Dad's waiting for me!'- it usually stuns them and they can't think of anything to say to it! Ultimately though it's still wrong and shouldn't just be tolerated as a given that women should have to put up with. If there's something you can do on a higher level, rather than individual level- like reporting to managers, and campaigning against it etc then do it!

Thanks SarahO, I think you meant wickedStepmother though, I was just agreeing with her. It has happened to me regularly, not from the people at the/outside the church, but just all over London streets. It has got to the point where I was threatened with being punched and thrown all sorts of insults and threats because I turn around and tell the people I'm not interested. It's disgusting and makes me sick. I truly hope you don't have to put up with it anymore. There's a good campaign I've joined about reclaiming the streets from harassment.

Pearson, get a brain cell! Western culture has historically reverred white women and white beauty, instilling a dominant attitude in society that white is best- thus there has already been a subconcious pride of being white. This is an attempt to create some pride for non-white women. There's nothing wrong with that.

Sue Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I was amazed to read in a local paper that the > Irish Festival cost something like ?52k (I think) > to run and that the council had been funding half > of this. > > What on earth were they spending all that money > on? Whoah Sue that's a ridiculous amount of money. Ok, glad it's been cut!

WickedStepmother Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > SarahO, you are entirely in the right here and > don't let anyone tell you otherwise. If you've > made clear that you're not happy to be approached > by this group of people, then continued wolf > whistling, cat calling etc is sexual harrassment > at a minimum and there's no earthly reason why you > should have to put up with it. > > I would suggest a visit to complain to the centre > manager. I understand that might be stressful for > you. If you would like someone to come with you > for support, I'm more than happy to be that > person. > > I understand there is also some sort of community > relations police team working out of the police > station on Lordship Lane; they might also be able > to offer advice. Absolutely agree with this

Yes I agree womanofdulwich, that was my point too, I was mostly wound up by new mother's response!

Oh for gods sake, it's one teaching your kids not to accept sweets from strangers, it's another to tell them there are big bad wolves on your road and every road. I GREW UP IN LONDON, get over it!!!!!!! If you teach your children to be suspect at every person how are they going to make friends? learn to trust and believe in people? create a community? It's better to teach children to look after their things otherwise things like this can happen. And that stealing is wrong so they don't turn into the kids/ adults who steal things! Take some responsibility!

Oh come on! We're talking about 6 year olds here- or are you being tongue in cheek womanofdulwich? I can't work it out!

new mother Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > It must be gutting and the sort of thing where you > just want to turn back the clock. > Otoh, it might make the little ones really really > understand that there are some nasty people around > and, weirdly, that might come in handy. Sorry - I > am tryingto find a good aspect of it :-((( So that's a good aspect is it?! OR, it might teach your little ones to take care of their things better ;-)

No not anymore. Think it's ?2 now- not sure if that's per person though

Again, has really made me think. Thanks CS

man nanny i think

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/apr/03/gaby-hinsliff-maternity-improves-brain

Definitely wishing my Mum and all Mums on the forum a Happy Mother's day. It's my Mum's birthday tomorrow too so she gets a double whammie of being spoilt! Hope you all have a lovely day x

Westof do you not realise that the distance criteria has been abused/monopolised by those that can afford to move near a good school? Don't you think that's not right? and can you not see why that's a very good reason to change the criteria for allocations?

How can a kids scooter cost ?100??? that's an insane amount of money for a scooter for a 6 year old. I doubt they care what brand/model it is or whether they've got the same as their friends! and if they do then god help them! I'm not saying it deserved to be nicked, of course it didn't, but if it was an expensive one then that could be the reason why... Perhaps this is a lesson not to buy 6 year old expensive stuff. Not that I'm not sympathising, it takes a certain type of s**t to nick a kids toy

Thanks Mellors. A bit out of my price range though unfortunately :-(

Can anyone tell me where they got it done and how much it was?